Last week I was invited to lunch with veteran London-based artists, Gilbert and George, to celebrate the opening of ‘London Pictures’ at the White Cube gallery, the first stop of the show’s world tour.

The dapper duo, who have lived and worked together in London since the 1960’s, are true gentlemen. Impeccably tailored in co-ordinating tweed suits and immaculately groomed, the artists are politeness itself – in complete opposition to their graphic artworks.

Dining alongside the guests of honor, Gilbert and George, were Chinese artists Zhang Huan, Ding Yi and Zeng Fanzhi, noted collector and karaoke-club tycoon Qiao Zhibin and arts philanthropist Yana Peel. Gregarious gallerist Ben Brown was my right hand man for the meal and I also caught up with old friends Janice Lee, Alex Seno and Levina Li.